Ewing Hall of Fame

The Village of Ewing inducted its latest class into the hall of fame, Sunday, during FunFest activities.

Doris Ann and the late Fred Bollwitt and Marilyn and the late Jimmy Good are members of the 2024 class.

Here are their stories:

Doris Ann and the late Fred Bollwitt

Community connections.

The phrase describes contributions Doris and the late Fred Bollwitt made to Ewing. The couple spent their lives modeling what a difference volunteering makes.

Born and raised in Ewing, Fred graduated from Ewing Public Schools in 1949 and Doris in 1955. The United States Army called Fred to duty. He was stationed in Germany during the Korean conflict. After earning a teaching certificate, Doris spent three years teaching in rural schools.

In 1958, Fred and Doris were united in marriage and began operating the family farm. The operation has continued now for 125 years.

Church played a major role in the Bollwitt's lives. Fred served on the Methodist Church council and assisted with the design and building of the current Ewing United Methodist-Presbyterian Church.

Doris has been an active member of the United Methodist-Presbyterian Church. For 65 years, she has played organ and piano during weekly services. Her musical talents have been shared at funerals, weddings, Memorial Day services. Doris also has accompanied at numerous school music concerts and contests.

Fred was an active member of Sanders American Legion Post 214. Doris has also been involved in the American Legion Auxiliary, assisting with Quilts of Valor. According to her family members, "The Legion barbecues wouldn't be the same without her barbecue sauce."

Fred joined other community members and together, they formed the original Ewing Booster Club. Fred served as the first president.

Through the years, Doris has participated in multiple organizations and committees.

As a member of the Ewing Community Club, she and others were instrumental in planting the seeds for Ewing Memorial Park, located along Highway 275 and Main Street.

Family members said on many summer evenings, Doris will be found pulling weeds and planting flowers to help maintain this park. In 2002, she and Helen Burk were honored by the Knights of Aksarben and the Omaha World Herald with the Good Neighbor Award for their work at Memorial Park.

She has helped plan both the Sunset Banquet and the alumni banquet. Doris has served on the election board and signed up countless blood donors when the Bloodmobile visited Ewing.

Doris has been instrumental in operations at the Sunset Store, leading the charge with other volunteers.

Doris is also known for her sewing skills. Need a pair of pants mended? Call Doris. Have a dress that needs alterations? Contact Doris.

In addition to jeans and dresses she has sewn banners and altered school uniforms, family members report.

"She believes in helping whenever and however she can to keep the town of Ewing alive," her family said.

Marilyn and the late Jimmie Good

While Jimmie and Marilyn Good have a large family comprised of eight children, 29 grandchildren, 55 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild, the couple made a strong impact on a countless number of Ewing Public School students.

Jim started as a custodian and bus driver at Ewing Public School in 1970. A decade later, Marilyn joined her husband as a school custodian and cook. Jim retired in 1998 and in 2003, Marilyn became the head cook and remained in the position until retiring in 2009.

In 1971, Jim spearheaded the beginning of the school's elementary basketball program. Jim coached fourth-, fifth- and sixth-grade teams for 34 years. Each year, the dynamic duo would stage a roundball tourney for youngsters, drawing attendees from near and far. Following Jim's death in 2005, the family provided a scholarship for 10 years, giving back to the kids.

According to family members, Jim was involved in the Legion for 37 years.

"Mom was not in the auxiliary but brought food for all the legion functions for 25 years," family members said.

Marilyn is well-known for her baking abilities, between homemade bread to her famous cinnamon rolls, for so many people in Ewing and surrounding communities.

The Good family were members of Concordia Lutheran Church in Clearwater and Marilyn is still a member there.

"All of her kids are so honored of the accomplishment their family has given to Ewing," they said.